Tour de Force
Photography by Joe Loehle
Each year the Tour of Homes presented by the Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church Frederica draws visitors from near and far to see the breathtaking residences and historical stops that are featured. From the azalea blooms in the Wesley Memorial Gardens and the Spanish moss draped oaks of Musgrove Plantation to elaborately decorated chateaux and incredible oceanfront homes, every stop on the tour is a showcase of the wide variety of beauty to be found in our unique coastal community.
The setting for this month’s fashion shoot is Tour Stop 5. It is a beautiful 11th Street Cottage on Sea Island that embraces the joy of family and is filled with memories and eye-popping color everywhere. Local interior designer Mary-Bryan Peyer Deloach worked closely with the owners and architect Ward Seymour to create a beachfront haven for their entire family. Every room is simply spectacular and the ocean view can’t be beat. The Holts, Turners, and Rices are all active volunteers who are part of the huge team assembled each year from the larger Christ Church family for this wonderful event. Let’s hear it for the volunteers!
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Joe Loehle
Getting Ready
Tour Stop 5 with its bright, colorful rooms and decor designed by Mary-Bryan Peyer Deloach is a perfect backdrop for Tour volunteer Maggie Holt in this cheery print from The Yellow Canary.
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Joe Loehle
Ticket Pros
Ed and Lynne Turner handle Ticket Sales for the Tour and Lynne is dressed from head to toe in flattering fashion, like her Crazy Larry pants, from one of the most popular ticket sale locations: Maggie’s Boutique. Her cuff bracelet, scale necklace and barnacle ring are Gogo Jewelry designs.
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Joe Loehle
Handsome Helpers
Steve Holt may have turned over the sign duties he’s had in past years, but he’ll be manning the Parish House with wife, Catherine, on Tour Day. He and son, Christopher (also a Tour volunteer) are the picture of spring in clothes by Southern Tides and Vineyard Vines from Gentlemen Outfitters.
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Joe Loehle
Stopping Traffic
Bobby Rice is handy with the traffic cones when he’s working Parking duty on the Tour, while wife, Sandy, heads up the House Chairs. Sandy sports a comfortable and stylish ensemble from Maggie’s Boutique that would be perfect for spring weather while visiting each stop on the tour (but you’ll want to opt for shoes more suited to walking than her fun animal print strap heels.) Her leaf necklace and earrings are from Gogo Jewelry.
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Joe Loehle
Fresh as Spring
A volunteer with the Tour since she was 8 years old, Maggie Holt is as fresh as the blooms she carries in her cream tunic dress and cowboy boots from The Yellow Canary. Stone bangle bracelets from Bourbon and Boweties (available at The Yellow Canary) and seaweed design-inspired necklace and bracelet from Gogo Jewelry complete her look.
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Joe Loehle
What's Cooking?
The Christ Church Cookbook displayed by Catherine Holt will be available for purchase at the various stops, including the Christ Church Parish Hall, which is where you will find her on Tour Day. Catherine’s turquoise quilted jacket, white blouse and pants are all available at The Yellow Canary. Starfish pendant and sea urchin earrings are from Gogo Jewelry.
Tour Information
In addition to this sensational home on 11th Street, there are additional Sea Island Tour Stops on 17th Street, 21st Street and 24th Street, as well as homes on East Beach and in Devonwood on St. Simons Island. The wide variety of architectural elements, landscaping, interior features, furniture, art and decor in each of the homes chosen for the Tour is always one of the attractions. From “country club” to vintage tabby to Spanish Colonial, it’s fascinating to see how each homeowner displays their personality, heritage, or passion for design. Stops of historical interest include the St. Simons Lighthouse and its Museum housed in the newly restored Keeper’s Dwelling, St. Ignatius Church, Musgrove Plantation, Christ Church Frederica and the Wesley Memorial Gardens. Once again this year, re-enactors will bring to life the history of the parish and interesting island personalities and church members who are buried in the Christ Church cemetery during a formal tour through the cemetery grounds.
The Tour takes place between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. Sea Island homes can be accessed only by bus, with boarding taking place at Gascoigne Bluff and the last bus for Sea Island leaving there at 3:00 p.m. Advanced tickets can be purchased until noon on Friday, March 14, for $40. Tour Day tickets are $45. Tickets are available at Antiques Etc., Christ Church, Cloister Collection, Frederica Academy, Glynn Visual Arts, H&H, It’s All About You, Jekyll Realty, Maggie’s Boutique, Mimi’s, Ned Cash Jewelers, Viola’s Market, Roberta’s, St. Simons Drugs, and the Tabby House. You can also purchase tickets online and see detailed descriptions of the Tour Stops at christchurchtourofhomes.org. And don’t forget to pick up a cookbook if you don’t have one already. They make great gifts too!
The proceeds raised by the Tour of Homes enable the Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church to reach out in tangible ways to help meet needs in our community. The funds are dedicated to mission and outreach, with an emphasis on organizations and programs that benefit children and families. They are grateful to all who support their efforts by attending the Tour.
Joe Loehle
Cheers!
Here’s to a Tour of Homes that is a smooth and successful as this photo shoot was. The behind-the-scenes crew (from left) of the always stylish fashion/model wrangler Margee Theiler, our favorite hair magician and go-to gal Seleta Ham of Shear Magic, talented makeup artist Beth Kicklighter Hall of Makeup by Elizabeth Lee (Congratulations on surviving your trial by fire!), owner of Edward on St. Simons and floral designer extraordinaire David Lowe, our friendly neighborhood photographer and fellow dog-lover Joe Loehle, and chef/craft services guru George Ferreyra join our models by the pool to celebrate the wrap of the day’s shoot. As always we thank our models for sharing their time and good humor and our photographer and beauty team for making them look their best. Special thanks to David Lowe, owner of Edward on St. Simons, who not only brought gorgeous floral arrangements, but also stuck around and acted as our set stylist. Perfect weather and a great team made for a terrific day.
